Analysis: U.S. and Iran on the precipice

The Iraq War began with the bombing of Baghdad in March, 2003

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Citing Iranian involvement with Iraqi militias and Tehran's nuclear ambitions, the Bush administration has shifted to offense in its confrontation with Iran, building up the U.S. military in the Persian Gulf and promising more aggressive moves against Iranian operatives in Iraq and Lebanon.

The behind-the-scenes struggle between the two nations could explode into open warfare over a single misstep, analysts and U.S. military officials warn.

Iraq has become a proxy battleground between Washington and Tehran, which is challenging -- at least rhetorically -- America's dominance of the Gulf. That has worried even Iraq's U.S.-backed Shiite prime minister, who, in a reflection of Iraq's complexity, also has close ties to Iran.

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